And she was perfectly fine with that.
Cain was … unique, yes, but he was also drop-dead gorgeous, honorable, charming, and sexy as sin.
As her body came down from the high of another mind-altering climax, she put everything about the scene to memory. The way the bark had scraped her back as he filled her. The sound of the leaves as the breeze rustled them. The way the dead leaves felt beneath her knees as he moved them to the ground. The way the soil slid under her fingernails as she dug her fingers into the dirt. The heat of the sun on their sweat-soaked bodies as it filtered through the trees. The carnal, erotic feeling of Cain’s balls slapping against her as he filled her again and again.
And the way their bodies and souls became more and more intertwined, entangled. Bonded.
Noreen’s body pulsed with contentment from the bliss she’d received at the hands of the Dragon King. It was almost surreal, and yet she knew for a fact that all of this was happening. It wasn’t a dream.
She looked back over her shoulder at Cain. His eyes were open and fastened on hers. His fingers dug almost painfully into her hips as he drove into her, but it felt so good.
Their gazes locked, and even when he gave a shout when his orgasm hit, he never looked away. She saw the ecstasy fill not just his face, but his beautiful green eyes, as well.
Finally, he stopped moving. His chest rose and fell rapidly. He slowly pulled out of her. She turned to him, bringing him down to the ground with her arms around him.
“Damn, lass. You’re something else,” he whispered before kissing her temple.
Noreen beamed as she looked at him. “I can certainly say that you take me to places I’ve never been.”
“And this is just the start,” he promised.
She hoped it was, but as she thought of the future, she couldn’t see how they could have one. Even if the Kings managed to destroy the Others and Moreann, there was still the fact that she was a Dark. And she had become one all on her own. No one had forced it upon her. No one had made her feel as if she had to.
And while she knew Shara had turned Light, she wasn’t so sure she could do it. She liked who she was. Maybe not everything she’d done, but really, who could say that?
If it meant you could be with Cain, would you turn Light?
That was an easy answer—yes. She most definitely would. But it wasn’t as if he were asking.
“What has you so deep in thought that you’re frowning?” he asked.
She immediately smoothed her brow and shrugged. “Just thinking about everything.”
“I hope you’re no’ worried about Moreann and the Others. I’ve told you, I’ll protect you.”
“I know you will,” she assured him. “I’m also pretty good at magic myself.”
He chuckled and squeezed her tighter. “I doona doubt that in the least. So, tell me what worries you.”
“Nothing.”
Cain sighed loudly. “Lass, there’s no need to lie to me. I hope you realize you can tell me whatever is on your mind.”
“It’s nothing, really. I overthink things and work myself up on matters that are silly.”
“If you’re upset, then it isna silly.”
Well, when he said it like that, it made perfect sense. Still, she didn’t want to blurt out that she was thinking about a future with him when he might only want a fling.
“You’re doing the frown again.”
She ducked her head into his chest. “Sorry.”
“Ease your mind, lass. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“Us.”
He paused for a moment. “I can certainly see why you would be thinking about us. It’s no’ common for the Kings to mingle with the Dark.”
“And we’ve been doing much more than just … mingling.”
Cain chuckled softly. “Aye, we certainly have. And I’ve no plans to stop anytime soon. No’ tomorrow, no’ next week, or even next month. I could keep going, but I hope you see what I’m saying.”
She thought she did, but she wasn’t sure. “Maybe you should spell it out for me.”
Cain shifted so that they were looking at each other. “I want you, Noreen. And each time I have you, my desire only increases.”
“I want you, too.”
“Good. Then we’re on the same page.”
She nodded because he had let her know that he wanted her for an indefinite amount of time. But did that clear up everything? She searched her mind and still found doubts.
“I see we’re no’,” he said. But there was no censure in his words.
She put a hand on his chest. “The thing is, I find myself in a unique situation. I like you, a lot. A Dragon King. You’re supposed to be my enemy simply because our two cultures have fought. I’m also supposed to hate you because I’m part of the Others.”
“You’re no longer part of the Others,” he corrected.
She suddenly smiled. “That’s right, I’m not. But I was. I’ve been taught to hate the Kings from two different sides.”
“And you think there are some who will say something to you?”
Noreen sighed. “I could care less about what others think. I’m just pointing out that I’ve long believed I wasn’t supposed to talk to a King, much less have sex with one.”
“Ah, but you have. Repeatedly.”
She smiled widely. “And it was amazing.”
“Aye, it was,” he said as he brought her close for a kiss.
Noreen pulled back and met his gaze. “I like you, Cain. A lot. I think you know that. Maybe it’s because I’ve turned against the Others, or it could be something else I’m not even aware of, but I feel like a fish out of water. I’m clinging to you when I’ve never clung to anyone in my life.”
“I’m the sturdy kind, lass. Cling to me all you want.”
Oh, how she wanted to take him up on that proposal. No one had offered her such a thing before. “It’s tempting. So tempting.”
“Are you afraid I’ll let you down?”
“I’m afraid that I’ll find I never want to let you go.”
He quirked a brow. “Would that be so bad?”
Was he kidding? She shook her head, unable to get any words out.
Cain ran his hand up and down her back. “Is that what you’re afraid of?”
“No. The idea appeals to me, but then again, we just met. Everything is always good when people first meet.”
“I wouldna say always, but I understand your point. How about we take things one day at a time?”
“Okay. I can do that.”
He touched her chin to make her look at him. “And let’s promise to always talk to each other. If you have any doubts or questions, doona hesitate to come to me. And I’ll do the same with you.”
“I can do that.”
He brought her close for a deep kiss. “Och, lass. I do like having you in my arms.”
“I like being here very much.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Noreen wished she could stay in Cain’s arms for the rest of the day, but that wasn’t possible. She gave him a quick kiss, and he hugged her tightly before both of them got to their feet. She had used magic to remove her clothes, so she used it again to put them back on.